Dept puts brakes on taxis

Operators give money to fund protection squads to attack rivals — MEC.

- Enkosi Selane

The Gauteng transport department intends to close taxi ranks for six months amid escalating violence that has claimed 59 lives in the province since January, MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela says.

According to the MEC, approximately 30 people died in taxi-related violence in March alone, contributing to the alarming total of 59 fatalities since the beginning of the year.

The MEC emphasised that the violence is not isolated to specific areas, but is spread across Gauteng.

She said the department of transport was collaborating with the police to "ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are identified, apprehended and brought to justice".

"We remain committed to restoring calm and ensuring that Gauteng's transport system remains safe, reliable and free from intimidation or violence," said Diale-Tlabela.

Diale-Tlabela revealed that the decision comes after multiple failed attempts to resolve ongoing conflicts within the taxi industry.

"The agreement we have is to close the ranks. Not only for a week or two weeks, but for six months and make sure that we come to the end of this," she said during an interview with Newzroom Afrika.